Toddlers love to copy what their parents are doing, and with a toddler learning tower it can make it a whole lot easier to involve them in kitchen activities, which is where the Maxi Cosi Toucan promises to encourage independent learning and exploration.
As a mum of a very keen-to-help two-year-old, I wanted to see if the Maxi Cosi Toucan lived up to expectations that my daughter would be safer when helping in the kitchen and encourages her to be more independent.
Maxi Cosiwww.maxi-cosi.co.uk
Pros
- It's easy to convert into a table and chair by just laying it down
- It's sturdy enough to not topple over, but easy to move when not in use
- The design is stylish, so it doesn't look like an eyesore
Cons
- It might not last as long as a table and chair for taller children
| Age rating: | 18 months to 6 years |
| Size: | 46 x 43 x 91cm |
| Weight: | 8.70 Kg |
- 3-in-1 design
- Adjustable height
- Easy to assemble
- Waterproof
Testing the Maxi Cosi Toucan Tower
Build
The Maxi Cosi Toucan was pretty easy to assemble, with only an Allen key needed to attach all the parts together. The Toucan Tower felt really sturdy, and my daughter did a jump test to see how the base supported her. She gets quite excited and jumps when she's done something she's proud of, so it's good to see that it not only supports her independence but her excitement too!
I really liked that it was easy to clean and wipe down as well, and felt that we didn't need to worry about it getting wet, as the wooden material was protected.
Usability
The Maxi Cosi Toucan was easy to move around our home, and easy for my two-year-old to push it to the sides she wanted to be at as well. It didn't feel like it took up much space in the kitchen either, as we could easily tuck it next to the kitchen counter or just in the corner in front of a cupboard we rarely went into.
One slight issue was when it was in front of a cupboard or drawer you needed. I had to make sure I had everything out before we started baking or cooking, as my daughter didn't like having to climb out for me to get into a specific cupboard, and then climb back in. It also isn't safe to move while a child is in the tower, as the back bar offers security whilst stationary, but not when being moved.
Performance
The Maxi Cosi Toucan was the perfect height for our kitchen counter and allowed my daughter to reach the sides without having to climb up, or push a chair to them. She loves helping prepare for tea and this was a much safer way for her to do so.
She could easily push the Toucan to where she needed it to be, then climbed up and helped. The bar at the back was really helpful in keeping her supported and reducing the risk of her falling off of the Learning Tower too.
Although the table and seat conversion is a clever idea, we didn't use it too much as my daughter preferred sitting at the dining table and we used it far more often as the Learning Tower.
It was easy for my toddler to climb in and out the tower with ease, and it allowed her to reach to the back of the sides a lot easier. She also loved being able to play in the sink and clean her toys in their!
We've not yet used the Maxi Cosi Toucan as a stool as we use it every day, but as my daughter gets bigger I can see it being very effective when converted to the stool.
Final verdict
Overall I found the Maxi Cosi Toucan Learning Tower to be a great additional to our home and a really great way to encourage my daughter to be involved more in every day activities. She loves helping but has always been frustrated that she can't reach the sides, and using a dining room chair has just never felt safe.
I think the Maxi Cosi Toucan is great value for money as it can be used as more than just the Learning Tower, however, I do wish it could fold down to be used as a table and chair instead of being laid down, as my daughter is quite tall and I can see she'll struggle to fit her legs in as she gets bigger. All in all, I was very impressed and would recommend it to other parents.
More about the Maxi Cosi Toucan
Do I need to supervise my child when they're using the Maxi Cosi Toucan?
While it's a great resource for encouraging independence, it is important to always supervise your child when they're using it for many reasons, as children are not always aware of any dangers.
Samantha Ball is a Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best and current trending products for little ones and for cute seasonal outfits.